Articles (Equine)

Vaccines are a very valuable tool to aid in the prevention and control of disease, but in some cases, they can prove to be harmful to some equine patients. In looking at the big picture, your job as a horse owner is to provide the best level of healthcare possible but caution should be taken…

Colic conditions in the horse are very common, impacting likely upwards of 20% of all horses at some point in time in their lives. Not all horses do experience colic, as noted by the percentages. In those horses that do experience colic, some are isolated events, while some tend to recur over and over again.…

You are up in the middle of the night. Your horse is restless and you are endlessly walking him up and down the barn isle way to help soothe his discomfort. Colic. Such as simple word, but yet so many different presentations in the horse with some cases resolving easily, while other horses require intensive…

Colic in the horse is unfortunately a common health condition and is one of the top reasons for euthanasia in veterinary practice. There are many unknowns when it comes to colic conditions, and with it, many different types of colic conditions. Many types have a good prognosis while others are not so favorable. What more…

A physical examination of the horse is commonly performed by a veterinarian as a part of an annual health checkup, pre-competition type of screening, or during a period of illness. Any horse owner can perform a basic physical examination of their horse with some basic tools and horsemanship. The amount of information that this physical exam…

Lacerations and cuts will happen in almost every horse. In part one of this article, I discussed key points to evaluate when dealing with a cut or laceration. After a thorough evaluation, you are often then left with many options regarding how to manage that cut or laceration in your horse. These options can be…

If you own a horse, chances are at some point in time you will contend with scrapes, cuts, and lacerations. Even if you were to bubble wrap these guys, these types of injuries are very common and can happen outdoors or even when they are confined to a stall. For many owners, their occurrence is…

Laminitis is a common lameness and health condition impacting a large percentage of horses from many disciplines. It is a condition which most horse owners and veterinarians fear and even despise, mainly due to the ongoing level of care that is required and additionally, the poor prognosis. Laminitis in the horse is a complex condition…

Tendon injuries are all too common in the horse and are not just confined to the equine athlete. Any horse can succumb to a strained tendon, even on pasture, with a wrong step or muddy footing. Despite the injuries being common, the recovery process can be quite extensive for many, resulting on a significant time…

It is estimated that close to 90% of horses will develop joint related lameness conditions and arthritis over their lifespan. The frequency rate obviously climbs as the horse ages, but those younger competitive horses are also at an increased risk of joint disease. A joint allows for motion in the body, but as the joint…